Latest news with #TomJohnston
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour
Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour originally appeared on Parade. The iconic 70s rock band The Doobie Brothers are currently on tour — and founding guitarist Patrick Simmons gave fans an exclusive glimpse backstage at their latest stop, the Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. The band played the venue on July 15, and that day, they took to their Instagram stories to share a video of Simmons, 76, walking around backstage before posing with a drawn version of himself featured on a poster for this particular show on the band's current tour, titled the 'Walk the Road' tour. In the video, Simmons — who plays guitar and banjo, as well as providing vocals, for the group — can be seen smiling and making silly faces as he poses for what appears to be some photos. He even took his round glasses off for some shots to better match his drawn counterpart, who features on the poster without spectacles like Simmons sometimes wears. The Doobie Brothers are currently on tour in Europe, traversing the United Kingdom and Ireland for another week before bringing the tour back home stateside for August and most of September. Their next gig will take place in Birmingham, England at the PB Pulse Live Arena on July 17 and their last scheduled date on their website is at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Canada on September 18. The band was formed in San Jose, California in 1970 with an original lineup of Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John Hartman, and Dave Shogren. In 1975, Michael McDonald joined the group to sub in for Johnston while he was dealing with health issues — but McDonald, 73, ended up being a key component who would stick with the band until 1982. He returned to the band in 2019 and is playing on the tour alongside Simmons, Johnston, 76, and John McFee. The band released their latest album, Walk the Road, early last month. Doobie Brothers Rocker, 76, Gives Fans Exclusive Glimpse Backstage on Tour first appeared on Parade on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Glasgow Times
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Top pipers to perform at free event in Renfrewshire
Renfrew's Robertson Park will host the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition on Saturday, July 19. This free-to-attend event will begin at 10am and will feature a full day of family entertainment, including children's activities, inflatables, and local trader stalls. Read more: University of Glasgow to stage cosmic-inspired Scottish country dance The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association will judge the bands based on their performances across various grades. Spectators can enjoy the performances throughout the day, with the March Past scheduled for 5.30pm followed by the prize-giving ceremony. This year, the event's Chieftain will be Tom Johnston, former president of Renfrew Football Club and the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce. Read more: More: Popular singer announces huge show in Glasgow - and tickets go on sale soon He said: "I'm honoured to have been asked to be chieftain at the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition this year, and I'm really looking forward to a great day out. "I've been involved in the Renfrew community for many years and know how important events like this are for bringing everyone together. "I hope the Renfrew residents can come out in force to show support for all the competitors, including those travelling to Renfrew from further afield. "The competition is shaping up to be a fantastic day and I wish all the best to those taking part." There will be no public parking available at the event, but free parking is available a five-minute walk away at St James Primary School, Brown Street. Public transport to the park is also available with a number of bus stops located around Robertson Park. More information about the event can be found on the Renfrewshire Council website.
The National
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
SNP have morphed into a shadow of the party they should be
I say 'repeat' as in the immediate post-World War Two period the then Labour secretary of state for Scotland, the commendable Tom Johnston, had a vision to build hydro dams in both the Highlands and south-west Scotland to provide cheap local energy which could be harnessed to create industrial activities and well-paid jobs in both regions, addressing the scourge of depopulation. The dams were built but the promise of cheap local electricity was never delivered. Once his plan was known to London, he was told 'oh no dear boy, it must all go into the National Grid'. No competitive advantage could be delivered to these areas of Scotland – what a naive plan. Scots – well nearly 50% of them, as yet – have still not woken up to the new post-Brexit regime in Westminster. It matters not whether that regime is Labour, Tory, Liberal or very soon likely Reform UK. There is no 'UK' in any of their thinking. This is the new 'Little England' post-Brexit nation. Starmer, when he agreed – well I should say 'accepted' – the recent trade terms with 'The Donald', announced on camera 'this is an important agreement for both our countries, England and America'. This was no slip of the tongue, that is their collective thinking, post-Brexit. They, meaning our southern neighbour, didn't just vote to leave Europe, their utopia is in the green and pleasant lands of England where, if Scotland exists at all, she is their colony to be exploited for all her resources and 'free gratis'. At the end of her informative article 'Why have the SNP consistently missed an opportunity with zonal energy pricing' (Jul 10), Lesley Riddoch asks: 'Who is making this political argument? Not the SNP, why the heck not?' The answer is surely 'ineptitude'. The SNP leadership appear to be ignorant of the benefits that zonal pricing would bring, not just to domestic users, but in helping Scotland rebuild an industrial capability. This, with zonal pricing, could be implemented now under devolution. Similarly, where was the outcry over Grangemouth? Why did the SNP not walk out of Westminster en masse after Brexit? Our friends in Europe expected us to, but no, and then the long list of unpopular English prime ministers, from the liar Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, 'now is not the time' Theresa May, Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and waiting in the wings Nigel Farage. No opportunities were developed during these periods of great opportunity for the independence movement; the leadership of the SNP wasted every one of them. It is perhaps summed up best by Edwin Morgan, our great poet laureate who wrote, on the opening of the Scottish Parliament with such great promise, on October 9 2004: 'What do the people want of this place? They want it to be filled with thinking persons as open and adventurous as its architecture. 'A nest of fearties is what they do not want. 'A symposium of procrastinators is what they do not want. 'A phalanx of forelock-tuggers is what they do not want. And perhaps above all the droopy mantra of 'it wizny me' is what they do not want.' Well Lesley, there is your answer. It is exactly where we are with the current SNP leadership, exactly what Edwin cautioned us and our parliament to avoid, with John Swinney as the Chief Feartie in charge. Congratulations, John. A leadership with no vision for independence, no ambition to get us there, and not even a whimper at the ongoing, and deliberate, deindustrialisation of Scotland. 'Grangemouth no more, Falkirk no more!' The SNP have morphed into a shadow of the party they should be. People see through it. Shameful. We need radicalism, outrage, passion, and most of all new leadership. Ian Stewart Uig, Isle of Skye I AGREE with a lot of what Nick Cole said in his letter on Thursday, July 10, but he had at least two major omissions. Alex Salmond was in fact stitched up by SNP, so had a right to speak out against them. The SNP pushing gender recognition reform when they knew fine well it would split the indy vote was deliberate, as proven by them getting rid of those who would push for independence. Tim Rideout and Joanna Cherry spring to mind, but there were others. So the current version of SNP did nothing for a decade, and still does nothing except get rid of indy folk. The fact the party doesn't support the case at UN or adopting the UN charter on self-determination says it all. The real SNP that wanted independence has been hijacked by devolutionists. They likely supported indy at some point, but the salary and perks are too good to risk now. So although I'm desperate for independence, I'm not going to vote for the SNP to do nowt for another decade. If they don't get concrete plans on the board to go ahead without Westminster agreement if necessary, many Scots won't vote for them. Nick would do better for cause and party if he focused on why the SNP are not keen to proceed, and helped get them out of the party. A new NEC, and out with those who never mention independence. That's the cure for all SNP's woes, so what's stopping them? Grangemouth shows the long game is no longer a viable option so the best way to secure the party's future is to push ahead with indy. Voters who trusted them to act won't let them just be a devolution party. The biggest dividers of the indy vote in my opinion are gender recognition reform and SNP inaction on the supposed main goal. Heartbreaking, so it is. Bill Robertson via email
Scotsman
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The Doobie Brothers Glasgow Hydro Stage Times: Gig set times, support, drinks prices, tickets, setlist, age restrictions
The Doobie Brothers have a date with Glasgow. | Contributed There will be the rare chance to see an iconic rock group in Glasgow this week. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Formed in California in 1970, The Doobie Brothers have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, spawning an array of global hits like Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin and What a Fool Believes. The lineup of Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald recently reunited to release 16th studio album Walk This World earlier this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They recently supported ELO at Hyde Park and are now setting out on a UK tour - and there's good news for Scottish fans, with a date in Glasgow. Here's everything you need to know about the gig. When are the Doobie Brothers playing Glasgow? The Doobie Brothers will play the OVO Hydro on Friday, July 11. Who is supporting the Doobie Brothers at their Glasgow gig? No support has been announced yet for the Doobie Brothers' Glasgow gig - and as this is the first date of their tour there's no hint. Expect a support act to warm the crowd up though - watch this space for the latest information. What are the stage times for the Doobie Brothers in Glasgow? Doors open at 6.30pm and there are no other official set times. Having said that, judging by similar gigs at the venue, expect the support to start at some point between 7-7.30pm and for the Doobie Brothers to take to the stage between 8.30-9pm. The gig will finish by 11pm at the very latest. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are tickets still available for the Doobie Brothers? If you've decided at the last minute that you'd like to go to the gig then you're in luck, although remaining tickets are priced from a wallet-bursting £104.65. If you have deep pockets you can get tickets here. Are there any age restrictions at the Doobie Brothers' Hydro gig? It's over-14s only in the standing areas and over-8s in the seated sections. All under-16s must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. What are the drinks prices at the Doobie Brothers gig? Here's how much you'll be paying at the bar: Pint of Madri: £7.90 Pint of Aspall Cyder Blush: £7.60 Wine: £7.80 Pinot Grigio Fizz: £8.50 Can of soft drink: £2.40 Bottle of water: £3.10 Spirits: £5.80 Mixers: £1.10 What is the likely Doobie Brothers setlist? The Doobie Brothers played a broadly similar setlist every night of the American leg of their current tour. Expect to hear most of - if not all - the following in Glasgow.
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
We have only ourselves to blame for the UK's land monopoly
While we might fume at the eviction of a whole village by its landlord, we only have ourselves to blame for allowing such power to remain in the hands of so few (An entire village in Dorset is facing eviction – proof that private money holds all the power in rural England, 28 June). Even socialist governments have balked at dealing with the issue of land monopoly, and we have failed to hold them to account. In 1909, when landed power was largely synonymous with the aristocracy, Tom Johnston, later to become secretary of state for Scotland, noted that land titles had originally been created 'either by force or fraud'. He urged the people to 'shatter the romance that keeps the nation numb and spellbound while privilege picks its pocket'. As George Monbiot's article shows, land monopoly today is not confined to the aristocracy. The most effective way to neutralise its power would be through land value taxation, which would ensure that those who claim to own the country bear its running costs. In 1910, the Inland Revenue initiated a full survey of land use, value and ownership across Britain. It was completed in five years, but the outbreak of war and a change of government meant the proposed tax measures were never implemented. Our present Labour government has four years to repeat the exercise and reform our broken tax system. It should start DigneyStirling The eviction of the inhabitants of Littlebredy in Dorset by their new owner Bridehead Estate Ltd, excoriatingly exposed by George Monbiot, has a strong historical echo from the 1770s at Milton Abbas, less than 30 miles away. Lord Milton bought Milton Abbey, near Dorchester, in 1752. Capability Brown was brought in to 'improve' the surrounding landscape. He faced the problem of what to do about the unsightly medieval village of more than a hundred households. The solution was to move it. In 1774 Brown drew up plans for a new 'model village' of new homes. Over the next decade the villagers were decanted, some against their will, to new homes in Milton Abbas. Barely a trace of the old village exists. Lord Milton is often cited as one of the worst examples of the callous ostentation common among the English landowning Whig oligarchy of the 18th century. But at least he felt obliged to rehouse his tenants. Judging from Monbiot's piece, it seems that a corporate landowner in today's Britain is not even obliged to do that when it decides to socially engineer an inconvenient community out of house and GutchLondon Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
